Katidis banned from representing Greece after celebrating goal with 'Nazi salute'

By David Kent

PUBLISHED: 12:44 GMT, 17 March 2013 | UPDATED: 14:17 GMT, 17 March 2013

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AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis has been banned from all Greek national teams for life for making a Nazi salute on the pitch.

The Hellenic Football Federation announced the punishment in a statement today, saying the action was 'a profound insult to all victims of Nazi atrocities" and they condemned it "unequivocally and categorically'.

The Federation said ban was unanimous decision from the executive committee at an extra-ordinary meeting.

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Controversy: AEK Athens' Giorgos Katidis 'celebrates' a goal against Veria with an alleged Nazi salute

Controversy: AEK Athens' Giorgos Katidis 'celebrates' a goal against Veria with an alleged Nazi salute

Controversy: AEK Athens' Giorgos Katidis 'celebrates' a goal against Veria with an alleged Nazi salute

AEK have demanded an apology from the player and said the board would meet to decide his future.

Katidis raised his right arm in an apparent Nazi salute after scoring the winning goal in his side's 2-1 Super League win over Veria.

The 20-year-old had been heavily criticised on social media for the celebration, although he has insisted he did not know the meaning of the gesture.

He reportedly claimed he was pointing to team-mate Michalis Pavlis, who is recovering from injury, in the crowd.

Katidis wrote on Twitter: 'I am not racist in any way.

'I abhor fascism. I would not have done it if I knew that it meant something. I know the consequences and would not do it ever.'

Katidis has played for Greece's Under-17, U19 and U21 teams, but has not been capped at senior level.

I did not know what it meant! Young Greek ace in race storm after celebrating goal with 'Nazi salute'

By Dave Wood

PUBLISHED: 23:23 GMT, 16 March 2013 | UPDATED: 14:17 GMT, 17 March 2013

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AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis has denied giving a Nazi salute after scoring the winner in Saturday's 2-1 Greek Super League victory over Veria.

The 20-year-old midfielder was seen gesturing to the crowd with his right arm extended and hand straightened in front of his astonished Brazilian-born teammate, Roger Guerreiro.

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Sparking a storm: Giorgos Katidis raises his hand in a Nazi-style salute, as his teammate Roger Guerreiro looks on

Sparking a storm: Giorgos Katidis raises his hand in a Nazi-style salute, as his teammate Roger Guerreiro looks on

AEK Athens midfielder Giorgos Katidis raises his hand in a Nazi style salute

The former Greece Under-19 captain was heavily criticised by fans on Twitter and Facebook following the incident at the Olympic Stadium.

'I am not a fascist and would not have done it if I had known what it meant,' Katidis replied on his Twitter account.

Katidis could face punishment from his club or the Super League although AEK's German coach Ewald Lienen leapt to his defence.

'He is a young kid who does not have any political ideas. He most likely saw such a salute on the Internet or somewhere else and did it without knowing what it means,' he said.

'I am 100 per cent sure Giorgos did not know what he did. He was crying in the dressing room seeing the reaction.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2294586/Pictured-Nazi-salute-goal-celebration-sparks-race-storm.html#ixzz2NpMcDgX0
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'I abhor fascism. I would not have done it if I knew that it meant something. I know the consequences and would not do it ever.'

Does he have the tattoo, "Get Rich or Die Trying"? Bloody hell.

Freedom of speech is dead

Freedom of speech is dead

Freedom of speech is dead

Pointing out the obvious here, but a gesture isn't speech. Speech requires that cut under your nose to be moving. And you should probably let yours heal.

Just to clarify, Paladisious and Polemedis might look like similar words, but we're not the same. No way.

I just thought it was a legit newsworthy article.

Just to clarify, Paladisious and Polemedis might look like similar words, but we're not the same. No way.

I just thought it was a legit newsworthy article.

It is a legit article, we just don't need two threads on the topic and as World Football is more appropriate for it, I locked your thread and left this open.

Just to clarify, Paladisious and Polemedis might look like similar words, but we're not the same. No way.

Didn't Mark Bosnich do a similar thing to Spurs fans in '02? And only got a fine iirc?

Greece has gone a long way to the right, this is just one of many manifestations.

:lol: reminded me of the other night :oops:

It's a Greek salute fyi people

It's a Greek salute fyi people

When Van Persie did it no one cared.

'It has been brought to my attention of some ridiculous allegations concerning my celebration of one of my goals,' wrote Van Persie on his Twitter account.
'It is totally ludicrous to suggest that my action of brushing my shoulder could be construed as anything else but a showing of joy and celebration.

I wasn't being entirely serious haha. The two incidents are incomparable. Just a chance to have a dig at RVP ;)

Actually, it's the saluto romano - The Roman Salute.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_salute

Maybe you should brush that chip off your shoulder nazi style as well? :lol: